( 8 reviews )
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Posted: Jun 30 2009
This is a fantastic product. I needed to connect my computer, xbox 360, monitor, speakers, modem, and router. That is 6 power sucking products all from one outlet. Lucky for me half of those items all use the huge transformer plug things that take up 1 3/4 plugs each. This surge protector has 12 outlets, so you can plug any combination of things in, and 6 of those are spaced out so you don't have to worry about anything not fitting. It is fantastic and does what it should. I highly recommend!!!!
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Posted: Jun 24 2009
Brief evaluation ---------------- This surge protector allows for up to 12 devices, including 6 'wide' DC adapters to be plugged in. It will protect them against power surges and, in addition, it can protect one Ethernet/phone line (RJ-45) and one coax wire if they are connected to pass through the Belkin surge protector. My personal experience does validate the claims the manufacturer makes for the features that I am using and I can verify at this time. Currently, I have 9 devices plugged into the surge protector, including 5 DC adapters and 4 2/3-prong plugs. All of the 3 remaining slots are unobstructed and could be used for one additional power adapter and 2 more plugs. This surge protector replaces 2 older and smaller surge protectors and a one-to-six plug multiplier. So far, I am happy and, in my opinion and based on its meeting real needs, good design, features and low price I recommend it as (in my view) one of the best it its class. More details ------------ The following are noteworthy, in my view. Positives: + TRUE 12-outlet capacity. Unlike the traditional surge-protected power strips where one beefy AC adapter would cover 2 slots, Belkin's device truly accommodates 6 AC adapters and allows for 6 more plugs to fit in. + 'Protected' green light (must be on) provides assurance that the surge protector is operational. When the green light stays off it usually means that the surge protector 'expired' while protecting your device from a power surge and it must be replaced ASAP. [The Belkin warranty promises a free replacement under its warranty terms if you meet the requirements and, it seems, you pay for shipping the damaged unit to Belkin and, possibly, the new unit to you. That's likely to add up to the price of buying a new unit from Amazon and, if you factor in the hassle, probably not worth it.] + 'Not grounded' red light (must be off) will warn you when there's something wrong. Belkin's warranty won't apply if the light was on when your devices got fried. I don't know if for a fact but I assume they have a way of telling if that was the case. + 10 ft. long chord. This is very important to me and it was one of the criteria that had to be met when I ordered this item. + 90 degree plug allows you to easily plug it into a busy 4-plugs wall outlet. + Clip for cable management. I find it useful. + Thin (one inch) and flat shape. Stands well on a table or on the floor. + Telephone and coax cable pass through for surge protection. I don't use these but I'm surprised that something this inexpensive has them. Even better, the phone jacks come covered with some sealing foil and, if you don't use them, they stay near invisible. They are so well hidden, it took me some time to actually find them. [NOTE: The 'phone' jacks are RJ-45 (Ethernet), not RJ-11 (phone). I know that you can plug an RJ-11 connector into an RJ-45 receptacle and I believe that's okay but I did NOT test this feature on this surge protector.] Negatives: - Other than encouraging the unrealistic expectation that Belkin would pay you op to $300,000 on connected equipment warranty, I can't think of anything bad. Warranty -------- On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is a worthless warranty and 10 is one that's unbelievably generous, Belkin's should be somewhere around 2 or 3 - 95% of all warranties on devices this cheap are likely to be a 1. They do promise to replace the item if it sacrifices itself while protecting your devices for as long as you can prove that you didn't do anything stupid, you have a purchase receipt and you ship the damaged item to Belkin at your own expense. It's not clear if they will charge you for shipping you back a new item. This may or may not be something worth pursuing. My impression is that you are not going to save a lot of money to get a 'free' replacement from Belkin and you are likely to waste a lot of time in the process. I'd probably buy myself a new one if the one I have now stopped working but it's good to know that they do have a 'lifetime' warranty. By 'lifetime' they mean the natural life of the product but 'natural life' is not precisely defined. As far as being reimbursed for damage to devices that this surge protector was expected to protect, my impression is that you are not likely to get much if anything unless you can afford a lawyer and you are willing to sue. You have to meet a long series of requirements that are expressed in several paragraphs of techno-legalese. Rating ------ I will have to repeat myself stating that, in my view, this is one of the best in its class. At the claimed 4156 Joules of surge protection, my devices should be pretty safe and the price is right. I could have and maybe I should have removed one star from the over hyped "$300,000 connected equipment warranty" statement printed on the box but... as sad as it is, everybody does it and Belkin's warranty is better than most so, I am awarding 5 stars on an item that inexpensively addressed real issues I had with protecting many devices clustered in a corner of my basement. ________________________________________________________ Disclaimer: I would call myself the opposite of a Belkin shill. After reading the news stories concerning some Belkin employees' attempts at promoting their wares at Amazon via employee-written reviews and other unethical practices I tended to stay away from the Belkin brand. In this instance, the price and the promised features were hard to resist and, to my surprise, I am very happy with my purchase.
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Posted: Nov 28 2008
I bought this surge protector at my local electronics store and while it does its job the build quality isn't that great. The top surface has scuff marks and the black pieces that cover each outlet have the tendency to pop out when unpluging an item.
